Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tomorrow, God willing, thousands of people will protest across the fruited plains in opposition to the US of A's Health and Human Services mandate under the Affordable Care Act (known more as "Obamacare.") The mandate requires all employer health plans to provide free contraceptives, sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, etc., regardless of any moral or religious objections.

Many really good people, like the folks at Stand Up for Religious Freedom, as well as those who are not Catholic, are on the good side, and, no doubt, plan to fight the good fight.

But when you come right down to it, this is a Catholic issue. Why do I say this?

Because, for the most part, although the other major faith groups in the world don't consider the "services" mandated by the Executive Branch of the United States of America all that bad. I'm sorry to have to say this, but it's true. Oh, sure, they're "not good," "regrettable," and even "tragic"...but they're not considered a damnation of a soul to hell unless repented via the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Or are they in other religions? I sure don't think so, but if you know differently, by all means let me know.)

I'm grateful for to all the non-Catholics, including very thoughtful atheists, who oppose this mandate, and I pray to God that they will be rewarded.

But the bottom line? This is, I believe, one of the last steps in eradicating the practice of Catholicism in the United States. Which is, of course, "not good," "regrettable," and "tragic," indeed.

Yet remember: this isn't the first time this has happened in this magnificent world created by God. The Catholic Church, 2,000+ years ago, began as a persecuted institution. Fast-forward 500+ years later, let's say, just across The Pond, and the persecution continued. Hell, it's been going on for years throughout the world. And still is. There is, I daresay, at least one martyr receiving his or her glorious crown each and every day.

And now we come to The Great Experiment: The United States.

Where Freedom of Religion was supposed to be the watchword, or at least, one of them.

We'll fight. Of course we'll fight. The reason we'll fight is that we're supposed to be put here to spread the Good News, to go out to all the world in order to do so. To do our damn best to make sure that every soul we encounter is made safe for everlasting life with our Triune God.

There's a very good chance that we might lose this battle.

What I mean is, there's every chance that the government of this country will force the Catholic Church—or try—to eat pork, so to speak, as those guys tried to do to the old man in Maccabees. Some, tragically, will eat it. Some will flee. And, many, God willing, will either be punished, fined, imprisoned, or die before we'll do it.

So, remember: we might well lose this battle.

But the war? We've already won it! Or rather, that God Made Man won it for us...just look at your nearest Crucifix.

Hey, I love my country.

But I love my God infinitely more and His promise of eternal life is sweeter than anything imaginable.

So friends, continue to fight the fight. Keeping in mind that the war was won ages ago.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Actually, it's been years since I've found the annual "Saint Patrick's Day Breakfast Roast-or-whatever-they-call it-these days" particularly amusing.

But Scott Brown's comment on Rick Santorum should've died in Poughkeepsie (with all due respect to the good folks in that great town):

“I see that both Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum now have Secret Service with them on the campaign trail,” Brown said. “And in Santorum’s case, I think it’s the first time he’s actually ever used protection.”

Uh...Scott? I'd say it was a bad joke, but it really isn't even a joke. Gee...wasn't this guy endorsed by Mass Citizens for Life? Weird.

I've been trying to get ride of halo scan, J-S Kit, and their ridiculously STUPID comment set up for weeks. At first, I liked it, but then it turned into a nightmare. I couldn't do it, but very cool dude Harvey Olson was able to air-traffic control me through the process. Check out his blog. And thanks loads, Harvey o' mine!